Patient Steals D.C. Ambulance After First One Wrecks

WUSA9.com On Jul 27, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP/WUSA9) -- Police say a patient being transported by an ambulance jumped out and stole a second ambulance that had arrived to help him.

Police say 31-year-old Darren Ethedge of northeast Washington was on the drug PCP and was being transported by Ambulance 19 around 9:30 a.m. Saturday when the vehicle got into a minor crash. Police say a second ambulance was called to take Ethedge to the hospital.

When the second ambulance, Ambulance 6, arrived, Ethedge allegedly got out of the back of the first ambulance and climbed into the driver's seat of the second. Police gave chase for about seven blocks and ultimately ordered him out of the ambulance and arrested him.

He's facing auto theft charges. He did not appear to have a listed phone number.

On June 27, Chief Kenneth Ellerbe issued Special Order 64 that states: "Effective immediately, all D.C. Fire and EMS apparatus and vehicles that are parked or standing in public areas shall not be left running unattended."